First coral in new tank

[DDenny]

Looking to add my first coral in the 4g pico in about two weeks. Light is an AI Prime 16HD and was planning to decrease intensity way down. Was thinking micromussa or something like that. Current tank parameters are
Temp 76-77
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 10
Will test Cal, pH, and Alk tonight or first thing in the morning as I just received my kits today. Nothing has been in this tank except water, dry rock and sand. Will do a water change this weekend to bring nitrates down to 5 or so. Currently using IO as well but looking to change to Red Sea Blue bucket soon as well of should I wait to add coral if I do change salt mixes.

 

[GillMeister]

How old is the tank and what kind of coral are you looking at?

 

[DDenny]

Sorry meant to put this in there it’s only 4 weeks at this point but I’m open to just about anything but leathers, GSP, or Xenia really also depends on what the LFS has in stock as well.

 

[saltybees]

I wouldn’t test with a lps, maybe a zoa or shroom if you’re not into a leather. I wouldn’t wait if changing salt, just check parems first before adding the coral and make sure they’re all good. just run the acclimation schedule on the prime when you add it should be all good.

 

[GillMeister]

I waited three months before adding a couple SPS. Maybe get an inexpensive birdsnest and see how it fares before adding anything else. The coral will consume a little bit of NO3 but you should get it a little lower first.

One word of caution with a tank that size. When you do water changes make sure you match alkalinity before adding new water. Some of the faster growing SPS are most sensitive to alkalinity fluctuations.

Do you have fish in the tank?

 

[DDenny]

Like Zoas might start with a couple frags if the LFS has them in the next couple of weeks.

 

[DDenny]

Water parameter check this morning was the following. Alk, Ca,Mg, and Nitrates done with Salifert. Ammonia with API and double checked with LFS (Salifert and week ago) Currently using Instant Ocean regular. Mg was a shocker did the test twice same results . Going to buy a food grade bucket with air tight seal to pour the bag in so I can mix it dry before pulling out the salt to mix with water.

Temp 76-77 (still have lights off not corals not need right)
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 25 (water change coming this weekend)
Alk 8.9-9.3
Ca 430
Mg 1470 ( kind of shocked here did it twice same results)
pH 7.9 (Checked with Aprea PH20 pen calibrated before checking)

 

[Brandon3152134]

How did you cycle it with nothing but dry rock sand and water. I usally put a piece of live rock in the tank and let it colonize

 

[Brandon3152134]

With such a small tank you should just change the salt mix before.

 

[DDenny]

How did you cycle it with nothing but dry rock sand and water. I usally put a piece of live rock in the tank and let it colonize

I used the raw shrimp method. I got my ammonia up with in 24 hours with such a small tank that was super easy. Then I added 1/2 bottle of Bio-Spira and the ammonia came down rather quickly. Within 24 hours it was down to 6 by seven days in it was down to .25 I then tested nirtate which were up to about 100ppm did a couple 75% water changes to bring them down to 25 on Salifert test kit. Have been out will be doing another water change this weekend to bring them down to an acceptable range. The LFS doesn't sell cured live rock just the dry marco rock. Been asking around for a small clean piece form local reefers just not all that many down here and don't want to buy 25 pounds when I only need like 2 pounds at most. Will be in San Antonio the week of April 6-9 so might see if I can get away before I leave on the 9th or even the 8th and keep it under water to pick up a piece. We only have 1 LFS locally so not a lot to choose from but they do have good corals.

 

[gig 'em]

I would highly recommend putting some live rock in there to seed the tank with beneficial microbes. Starting a tank with everything dry will take a long time for it to get out of the “ugly” phase and develop a healthy ecosystem. I would suggest finding another hobbyist nearby and getting some seed rock from their tank that has a good variety of sponge grow on it. You’ll have much more success with a healthy microbiome in the tank.